AFTER turning to drink to cope with the death of her partner, a woman assaulted a paramedic, a court heard.

Anna-Maria O'Toole hit a paramedic that had come to help her at her home in Betjeman Court, Kidderminster, before he had to restrain her against the ambulance.

Kate Price, prosecuting, said Steven Gwenlian was trying to treat the 47-year-old on September 26 when she assaulted him.

"The ambulance technician went to the property where the defendant was drunk," she said. "He attempted to triage her but he was unsuccessful. Her [O'Toole's] daughter called and he spoke to her on the phone. He then passed the phone back to the defendant when she became more agitated.

"He went to leave because of her behaviour. She followed him outside and attempted to hit him in the street."

She hit him once, at which point after Mr Gwenlian grabbed O'Toole by the hand and pinned her against the ambulance and an alarm was set off for assistance.

"She could not remember the ambulance being in attendance, but did have some tenderness to her hand," Ms Price said.

"When she was told the paramedic's statement, she became emotional and said, 'poor boy, I am glad I don't remember'."

In mitigation, Barry Newton read out a statement from O'Toole, in which she said: "It wasn't my intention to hurt someone that came to help me. I must have been out of my mind."

He added she was pleased to hear the paramedic suffered no lasting injuries and just had momentary pain.

O'Toole had turned to alcohol to cope with the sudden death of her partner, who died suddenly last year, but since the incident she had been seeking help.

She pleaded guilty to assault by beating when she appeared at Kidderminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday, October 16.

Stephen Gillespie, chairman of the magistrates, sentenced her to a 12-month community order with a supervision requirement and alcohol treatment. He also ordered her to pay £85 in court costs and a £60 victim surcharge.